How do I increase or reduce shipping charges for a single item order?

At AbeBooks, we have learned that happy customers frequently become return customers. Often, buyers who are satisfied with the service and products of one bookseller will do business with that bookseller again in the future. Good service includes a low postage fee and speed for ordered items.

When you receive an order you can adjust the shipping charge if needed. Extra charges can be requested for a heavy/oversized items or multi-volume sets, to pay applicable taxes, cover trackable shipping, or to purchase insurance for a valuable item. Likewise, if a book is light or if the shipping charge is too high, you can also reduce the shipping charges when processing the order.

Instructions on adjusting your overall shipping rates and speeds can be found here.

To request extra shipping charges for a single item Order

The request for extra payment for shipping charges varries depending on whether payment is processed by AbeBooks or by the bookseller.

Payment processed by Abebooks (Credit Card)

If payment is being processed by AbeBooks, you can request extra charges by following the steps below:

1. Select the [Extra Shipping] option in the status column2. Click the [Save Order Changes] button3. Enter the extra charge in the "Increase By" text box. We also strongly encourage you to enter an explanation in the ‘Comments’ field. Buyers are more likely to accept extra changes if they understand them4. Click the [Save Shipping Details] button

If you add a charge, an email message is sent to the buyer notifying them of the request. The buyer then has 4 days in which to accept or decline the extra charge request. If the buyer rejects the request or does not respond at all, then you still have the choice whether to process it at the original shipping quoted or to reject the order. Orders that you reject onlineafter a buyer declines an extra shipping charge do not count against your Bookseller Rating.

For payment methods other than credit card (not processed by AbeBooks)

You need to contact the buyer directly after processing the order, notifying the buyer of the total order value (to include any increase or reduction in shipping costs) and payment instructions. Such orders should not be shipped until payment has been received. If payment is not forthcoming then the order should be cancelled.

To reduce shipping charges for a single item order

If payment is processed by Abebooks (Credit Card) you can easily reduce the shipping charges when processing the order. To do so please follow the instructions below:

1. Select the [Reduce Shipping] option in the status column2. Click on the [Save Order Changes] button3. Enter the reduced amount in the "Decrease By" text box4. Click the [Save Shipping Details] button

The shipping charges are then automatically reduced and the order is processed. A confirmation of the new amount is sent to the buyer, but for information only as we assume that buyers are happy with any reduction. Therefore you should immediately proceed with printing the shipping manifest and posting the order to the buyer.

Note: If an order is placed on an Abebooks domain where the buyer's purchase currency is different to your data upload currency then it may not be possible to reduce the shipping cost to £0.00, but £0.01 should be possible in such cases.

For further information on reducing or increasing shipping for multiple orders click here.